WATER demand in Waverley and Patea is "near 100 percent of capacity", and the South Taranaki District Council says the situation is critical and partial water restrictions are required.
Peter Cook, the council's water supply manager, said the situation was "very serious" with some of the reservoirs less than 50 percent
full.
"Unless people get the message and start using less, we may be faced with a situation of not having enough water to go round," Mr Cook said.
And he said many did not seem to be heading council warnings that water reserves were running low. He said council had conducted a helicopter flyover last Friday of the Waimate West, Inaha, Hawera and Ohawe areas and found many examples of overflowing troughs and other leakages.
"We were disappointed given the degree to which we have been asking people to fix leaks and check troughs. In one case, we saw a hose left running in a field for cattle to drink from."
"We can't emphasise enough the urgent need to fix leaks and use less water," Mr Cook said.
Over the next 10 years, the council will be investing around $100 million on its water infrastructure and will be building a number of new reservoirs. However, he said people should be conserving water as a matter of course all year round.
The council would reduce the pressure on some of its water supply schemes in an attempt to reduce wastage.
Neil McCann, group manager of engineering services, advised that partial water restrictions had been introduced on all South Taranaki district water supply areas.
The partial restrictions were based on the "odds and evens" system.
Hand-held hoses could be used to water gardens and lawns before 9am and after 6pm for properties with even street numbers on even calendar dates, and those with odd street numbers on odd calendar dates.
All unattended hoses, sprinklers, and irrigation systems were banned.
Mr McCann said the partial water restrictions apply to all consumers of STDC water supply areas including urban, rural, commercial and industrial users and will remain in force until further notice.
